Within the CADS  drawing office we often receive requests for assistance on projects that take on a regular pattern of process,  however every now and again a request comes in that breaks the mould.

Usually we use AutoCAD and similar software products at the design stage to help our clients create and develop new ideas and turn them into reality. Our clients use our services to identify the potentials of their ideas, whether it be how medical equipment will sit in a new room layout, or realistic visualisations to allow planners to grasp how a scheme could envelop a whole site and affect its surroundings.

The opposite was proposed in our most recent project with a company that had an existing physical product in the landscaping and grounds maintenance market place. Green Tech wanted their product to be digitised and turned into a set of AutoCAD drawings and digital 3d models.

The product itself could be taken to trade fairs and shown first hand, with promotional brochures featuring photos of the product in isolation, but to effectively demonstrate its’ capabilities, Green Tech needed to show how the product components actually fitted together. With complex ground preparation requirements, buyers also needed to know how the product would sit within the ground layering system.

Although the complex curves within the products meant that it was tough to take existing measurements, we produced a set of 2D plans and elevations which would allow the client to offer assembly instructions to their clients should they wish.

It also enabled us to produce the 3d models for the ground work visualisations, these would be instrumental for future promotions. Although for this project we were not typically involved at the initial design stages, it shows that with our flexible approach and services we can still be an integral part of any company’s growth, no matter where they sit within their development.

Steve

Whether you are a retailer trying to achieve sign-off on a new store concept or you are a manufacturer of highly specialised equipment in a competitive tender pitch, we’ve got some great news to share with you.

Our specialist 3D team are now able to offer ‘true-3D’ visualisation of your products, ideas or projects – a major technology breakthrough that gives your audience an experience like no other.

It all sounds very fancy, but what does this mean for our customers?

1. If your meeting rooms have a 3DTV or you have access to a 3D compatible laptop, all of our 3D animations and interactive environments can now be delivered to you in True 3D. This is great for adding an extra dynamic to your presentations, pitches and customer demonstrations.

2. The bit we are most excited about – we believe that bigger is always better, so we have invested in high-end 3D projection technology which is now available for hire throughout the UK. Using short-throw lenses and positioning the projector only a few feet away, we can now fill entire walls with high-def 3D animations.

Ask your audience to slip on our active-shutter glasses and take to the stage! We can even send one of our 3D operators along to navigate the interactive models for you, letting you focus on your delivery. Alternatively, get the audience out of their seats and guide them through a life-size, 3D tour of your latest idea.
Sound interesting? Please use the comments box below to tell us what you think would make a great 3D presentation.

Ross

Towards the end of last year the CADS 3D team were involved in a 3D visualisation project for Howards Estate Agents. These visuals helped to market a new development where no actual photographs were available.

You can see the 3D visuals of the development project live on the Rightmove website now: http://bit.ly/x1VFFl

Nationwide Models Property Cost Savings

We are pleased to announce a three year contract award from Nationwide Building Society for technical design and related services as part of it’s ongoing development of high quality space and utilisation data and design standards.

The contract includes the migration and linking of existing space and asset data into a single database using CADS SpaceStation software application to provide improved reporting on both Head Office and Branch space. The contract also includes the implementation of future branch design work into a BIM (building information modelling) format including consultancy and engagement with the existing Nationwide supply chain and integration into current and future information systems.

Nationwide’s Business and Planning Transformation Manager Robert Cock takes up the story “Nationwide has a sizeable property portfolio across the UK and we recognised that moving our branch and administration space data into a single system will provide us with improved reporting and analysis and assist the delivery of cost savings to our members. C A Design ticked all our boxes in terms of know-how, existing services, software and innovative thinking we believed necessary to deliver these improvements to our business.”

CADS Director Guy Moates adds “We are very proud to have been selected by Nationwide. The contract includes delivery of software, BIM consultancy, architectural design, 3D visualisation, surveys and space planning services and we believe C A Design is at the forefront of the market in offering a joined-up portfolio of in-house services that major property owners need to improve their understanding and use of facilities whilst lowering their on-going costs”.

For more information e-mail Guy Moates or call 014930 440444.

BIM is the process of generating and managing a buildings’ data during its life cycle.  As a 3D visualisation professional, I want to talk about the relationship between BIM and 3D visualisation.

Let’s begin by saying that at CADS 3D we’re big fans of Autodesk. We use their AutoCAD software as well as their 3DS Max piece of kit. It has therefore made sense for us to explore Autodesk’s BIM offering first. The product is called Revit, or more precisely ‘The Revit Platform’.

According to the clever people at Autodesk: “It (The Revit Platform) is a purpose-built solution for BIM. Applications such as Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, and Revit MEP built on the Revit platform are complete, discipline-specific building design and documentation systems supporting all phases of design and construction documentation”. [1]

So how will BIM, and Revit, affect the 3D Visualisation industry? To understand this, it will help to understand the process of creating a 3D visual or video. Here it is in a nutshell:

1. Take the 2D CAD plans/elevations, import them into 3DS Max, then create the 3D model
2. Apply the necessary textures
3. Set up the lighting rig
4. Line up the necessary cameras and do the renders

We’re always trying to streamline this process, and BIM achieves exactly that by removing the need to create a 3D model. Revit does that for you. This not only saves time and enables us to keep our pricing competitive, but it also enables us to spend more time improving the realism of the 3D visualisation.

I believe that as BIM becomes more commonplace amongst architects and other industry stakeholders, 3D visualisation will become an even more specialist field. It will focus even more on the interaction between material and light.

In addition, where 3D visualisation has previously been kept for final, high-quality marketing images, it will now infiltrate its way right through the building management process. Design will well and truly be revolutionised as the impact of design decisions on lighting, and materials can quickly and easily be tested.

I’m excited about BIM and am looking forward to really getting to grips with the process and the various tools such as Revit.

Paul Hatton

C A Design Services 3D Team Leader

[1] BIM and Visualisation white paper 2008